Please come to a meeting to plan a conference on mining issues, focusing on coal seam gas, for next year at the university. I envisage the conference as examining in a holistic fashion the environmental, social and economic effects of coal seam gas, although discussions of other mining industries such as coal and uranium may also be appropriate.

The conference would occur at UNE over at least two days – possibly 7-8 April. It would feature some keynote addresses and academic papers as well as workshops and discussion groups, so that a broad range of citizens could be involved. Environmentalists, social and other scientists, economists, industry representatives, politicians, councillors and the general public would be invited.

Ultimately, however, I hope that decisions about the direction and organisation of the conference will be made in a participatory-democratic fashion by those interested in the issue. The world is changed by those who turn up.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 4 December at 12 noon in Room 122 of the Arts Building at UNE. Please indicate if you can’t make the meeting and would like me to schedule another for that evening or thereabouts.

By: Dr Marty Branagan